Diaries of Nifty: Behind the Scenes of Warlock A.D. – Week in Review

This past week has been a blend of calm planning, unexpected adventures, and exciting milestones as we gear up for what’s next in the world of Warlock A.D. From chill rehearsals to our first full-band session at Pressure Drop Studio, here’s everything that went down behind the scenes.  

Sunday: A Chill Rehearsal at Whiteacre’s House 

Our week began on a quieter note with a small, impromptu rehearsal at Whiteacre’s house. The original plan was for a full-band session in the rehearsal room, but due to car troubles, only three of us could make it: Quinn, Whiteacre, and Elwyn. Despite the smaller group, we made the most of it, focusing on helping Elwyn perfect their parts.  

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Warlock A.D. rehearsal without some comedy courtesy of Quinn. True to form, he had us all in stitches with his impromptu silly lyrics, replacing the real ones and turning even the most serious moments into laughter-filled chaos. Meanwhile, Whiteacre worked diligently on his (now retired) laptop, managing the intricate technical details that make our live performances shine. Watching him troubleshoot and streamline everything was a reminder of just how much work goes into crafting the perfect show, even outside the music itself.  

Once rehearsal wrapped up, Quinn and I made sure Elwyn caught their train back home, marking the end of what turned out to be a productive and fun day. Although it wasn’t the full-band rehearsal we had envisioned, it gave us a chance to focus on smaller details and enjoy some lighter moments.  

A Quiet but Productive Week  

The rest of the week was quieter, but we still accomplished plenty behind the scenes. One of the biggest focuses was on admin and content creation. Interview questions were sent out to each band member, and let me just say—you’re going to want to stay tuned for the answers when they’re shared in the coming weeks. They’re full of insights into each member’s creative process and thoughts on the band’s journey so far.  

We also filmed snippets of ourselves at work throughout the week, giving fans a glimpse into our everyday lives outside the music. These will eventually be part of a larger content push, so keep an eye on our socials!  

A major highlight of the week was Whiteacre upgrading to a new laptop. This seemingly small change actually marked the start of something exciting: new music. Within hours of setting up the new gear, Whiteacre and Quinn had already started writing fresh material. Seeing that spark of creativity unfold was inspiring and a reminder of how even small changes can breathe new life into the creative process.  

Behind the scenes, we also worked on scheduling new rehearsal dates to ensure everyone feels confident and comfortable as a full band. These sessions are key for refining our sound, especially as we prepare for upcoming shows.  

On the social media side, we’ve been taking a bit of a breather from short-form content like TikToks. This was a deliberate choice to allow us time to focus on bigger projects, including this blog and the behind-the-scenes vlog we’re working on. The shift also gives us space to monitor how things like the American TikTok ban might impact our engagement with fans.  

Saturday: Full-Band Rehearsal at Pressure Drop Studio  

Saturday was the big day: our first full-band rehearsal at Pressure Drop Studio in Stockport! It was a major milestone for us, but getting there was a bit of an adventure in itself.  

The day started bright and early for Quinn and me as we headed to pick up Whiteacre at 8 a.m. We opted to take our personal car to save on fuel since we weren’t transporting as much gear as we would for a full gig. Things were going smoothly until, about 30 minutes into our drive to pick up Ahriman, Whiteacre realized we had forgotten to bring Ahriman’s laptop. Cue a frantic turnaround and a quick trip back to Whiteacre’s house to retrieve it. Side quest complete, we set off again toward Ahriman’s place.  

We arrived to pick up Ahriman about 30 minutes before we were supposed to be at the studio, where Lazrius and Elwyn were already waiting. Unfortunately, Ahriman was feeling under the weather, which delayed us slightly more. To make matters worse, every traffic light seemed determined to slow us down, and we got stuck behind several drivers going well below the speed limit. Despite all this, we finally made it to the studio, albeit about half an hour late.  

Once we arrived, it was all systems go. The band got straight to work setting up their gear, with Whiteacre stepping into the role of sound engineer. He meticulously adjusted everyone’s levels and in-ear monitors to ensure everything sounded perfect. It’s not an easy task, but Whiteacre handled it like a pro, and the rest of the band quickly fell into sync.  

While the band rehearsed, I took the opportunity to multitask. I spent some time writing up the interview answers from Quinn, Whiteacre, and Ahriman, capturing their insights while they were fresh in my mind. I also filmed footage for the behind-the-scenes vlog, which will be my first attempt at long-form content. It’s a new challenge, but one I’m excited to take on, and I can’t wait to share the final product with you all.  

At the end of the rehearsal, we decided to head to Woodbank Park for a quick photoshoot to prepare for the big lineup announcement on Tuesday. This was no ordinary shoot—everyone got dressed up in full costume as their characters. I helped Elwyn with their costume and gave a hand with Quinn’s and Lazrius’ makeup before we headed out to the woods.

Once we arrived, Elwyn walked me through how to use the DSLR camera, teaching me the basics of framing and capturing shots. We took group photos as well as solo shots of each band member, making sure we got plenty of content. The raw images have since been sent to Whiteacre, who is editing and formatting them for release on our socials on January 21st. It was a creative and productive way to end a busy day, and I can’t wait for everyone to see the final results.

Looking Ahead  

This week has been a mix of quiet preparation and exciting milestones, setting the stage for even bigger things to come. With new rehearsal dates on the calendar, fresh music being written, and long-form content in the works, the future is looking bright.  

One major update to look out for is the announcement of our updated lineup, which will be going live on Tuesday, January 21st. It’s a big moment for the band, and we’re excited to share it with all of you.  

Thank you for following along with The Diaries of Nifty! Whether it’s Quinn’s antics, Whiteacre’s technical wizardry, or the occasional misadventure (hello, forgotten laptop), there’s never a dull moment in the world of Warlock A.D. Stay tuned for more updates, laughs, and behind-the-scenes moments as we continue on this journey together.